Will Grier, QB, West Virginia #7
6024, 217, 4.84
Notes: From Charlotte, NC. Coached by his father in high school. Married and has a daughter. Redshirted at Florida in 2014. Played in 6 games, starting 5, with the Gators in 2015; completed 106-of-161 passes (65.8%) for 1,204 yards, 10 TD, 3 INT. Received a one-year suspension in October 2015 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He said the positive test stemed from the over-the-counter supplement Ligandrol, that he was not aware it was banned, and admitted he did not followed protocol to clear the supplement with team trainers. His appeal was rejected by the NCAA, and he would not be eligible to return until the sixth game of the regular season in 2016. In December 2015 it was announced he planned to transfer to West Virginia and he sat out 2016. Started 11 games and completed 250-of-388 (64.4%) for 3,490 yards, 34 TD, 12 INT in 2017. Suffered a broken middle finger on his throwing hand in the team’s late-season game against Texas, missing the regular season finale and the Mountaineers’ SI.com Bowl. Completed 266-of-397 passes (67.0%) for 3,864 yards, 37 TD, 8 INT in 2018. Has degree in multidisciplinary studies and is currently pursuing second degree in sociology.
Positives: Natural passer with very good accuracy, touch and arm strength. Poised in the pocket. Quick setup and release. Shows the ability to make his reads and find secondary receivers. Feels pressure and navigates against the pass rush well. Can run for positive yardage, but usually looks to throw first and has a knack for seizing big-play opportunities downfield. Effective on the move.
Negatives: Lacks ideal size. Needs to improve his deep ball accuracy a bit. Tends to drift at the top of his drop, which leads to poor base throwing mechanics at times. Lacks top escapability in the pocket and holds the ball too long at times.
Summary: Still needs to improve all-around consistency, but put up big numbers. Not a prototype talent, but all shortcomings are correctable.
